ASU Students React to Governor Removing Wiggins From Board of Trustees

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By
Ashley Thompson

Story Created:
Jul 25, 2014 at 8:49 PM CDT

Governor Robert Bentley has removed Marvin Wiggins from the Alabama State University Board of Trustees today, after Wiggins refused to resign.
It's been quite the week for students on campus at ASU, who tell us what's going on with their leadership has been a distraction.

In a three page letter, Governor Robert Bentley explains why he's removing Marvin Wiggins from the Alabama State University Board of Trustees. He says Wiggins had conflicts of interest and directly benefitted financially from them. But Wiggins tells us he didn't violate any of the university's statutes and will fight the governor's claims.

"I'm prepared to do whatever it takes within the law to maintain my position," Wiggins says. "That's something the lawyers would have to decided."

Elton Dean resigned from the Board of Trustees on ASU's campus radio station Thursday afternoon. On the same show, Wiggins explained why he refused to resign. On campus, students appear to be split on Wiggins' decision not to step down.

"I feel like he should do what he feels like he should do," says student Taureen Sutton. "If he wants to fight, I think he should fight it."

"In my opinion, yes he should step down if he had anything to do with that," says student Lydia Owens.

The governor also cites the university's accreditation concerns and credit downgrades as reasons for Wiggins termination. Students tell us they believe the university is getting a black eye from what's going on.

"Me personally, I never thought I'd go to ASU and that makes things look bad for out of state children," says Keiana West.

"I know some people may try to judge Alabama State by what's going on but at the end of the day, Alabama State is Alabama State," says Sutton. "It's a historically black college and we still love Alabama State."

Wiggins is maintaining that he's done nothing wrong. We'll keep in touch with him to find out what his next step will be in fighting his termination.